Search Results for Category: Canada

Seniors Get Their Feet Wet In Peggy’s Cove

Peggy’s Cove is a small rural community that senior travelers find is famous for the Peggy’s Point Lighthouse. Peggy’s Cove is 43 kilometers (26 miles) southwest of Downtown Halifax and comprises one of the numerous small fishing communities located around the perimeter of the Chebucto Peninsula.

The community is named after the cove of the same name, a name also shared with Peggy’s Point, immediately to the east of the cove. The village marks the eastern point of the St. Margaret’s Bay.

“Peggy’s Cove is famed for its picturesque and typically East-Coast profile, with houses perched along a narrow inlet and on wave-washed boulders facing the Atlantic.”

Seniors Enjoy Fishing Village

Although this unique environment has been designated a preservation area, it is still an active fishing community. Nova Scotia is home to over 160 historic lighthouses, but no beacon is as photographed as the one in the vibrant fishing village of Peggy’s Cove.

The first recorded name of the cove was Eastern Point Harbour or Peggs Harbour in 1766. The village is likely named after Saint Margaret’s Bay, Peggy being the nickname for Margaret, which Samuel de Champlain named after his mother Marguerite.

There has been much folklore created to explain that name. One story suggests the village may have been named after the wife of an early settler. The popular legend claims that the name came from the sole survivor of a shipwreck at Halibut Rock near the cove.

From its inception, the community’s economy revolved around fishing. However, tourism began to overtake fishing in economic importance following the Second World War. Today, Peggy’s Cove is a major tourist attraction, although its inhabitants still fish for lobster, and the community maintains a rustic undeveloped appearance.

Seniors Go For The Fresh Seafood

The regional municipality and the provincial government have strict land-use regulations in the vicinity of Peggy’s Cove, with most property development being prohibited. Similarly there are restrictions on who can live in the community to prevent inflation of property values for year-round residents.

The restaurants and cafes in the area offer senior visitors the freshest Nova Scotia seafood. Lobster is a specialty, but don’t miss a feed of mussels or a meal featuring the wonderful fresh St Margaret’s Bay haddock.

Scenic beauty abounds in all directions and salt air fills your lungs . Senior travelers can enjoy the great outdoors, history, shopping or simply “taking time to smell the roses” along the Nova Scotia coast. A warm maritime welcome and down home hospitality await your visit. Seniors, enjoy Peggy’s Cove. -jeb

Senior Single Men Seek Travel Tours

USA Today recently wrote that Seniors who love to travel have many options for exploring the world, even by themselves. Several companies offer trips geared toward senior single travelers.

Special features like a slower pace, tours that aren’t too physically taxing, and social gatherings like nightly dinners and dances with other tourists near the same age make the tour attractive to senior single men.

From Mediterranean cruises to escorted treks through South America, travel opportunities for single seniors cover a broad range.

Senior single men, Vacations To Go offers a cruise for singles.Each year, they select several itineraries in different regions of the world, on various cruise ships, and negotiate an extremely low rate for single customers.

Trained hosts from their headquarters organize get-togethers, cocktail parties, dinner seating and more, allowing individuals or friends to travel as part of a large and fun-loving group of singles.

Senior Single Men Enjoy Road Scholar

Road Scholar is a premier program with many solo travelers. I have had the pleasure of serving as a Tour Group Leader with this organization and they are first class. They are trusted and well known for offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for couples and solo participants alike. The atmosphere you’ll find is of learning in the company of a small group of individual friends, rather than traveling with a collection of couples.

If you are single and over 50, traveling by yourself may seem daunting. If Cancun was the go-to destination when you were 20, it may not be your scene anymore.

At Stitch, they have scoured the globe for the 5 best travel destinations for singles over 50 that will give you the best opportunity to enjoy your travel.

Tips For Senior Solo Travel

Allianz features 11 Secrets for Successful Senior Singles Travel. Looking for a travel companion who shares your love of river cruising, fine wine and Paris flea markets? Look in the mirror. Traveling solo might seem daunting, but it’s easier — and more rewarding — than you think. These 11 tips for senior singles travel can help you create the perfect solo vacation.

About Travel has an article called Tours and Cruises for Single Seniors. They list several companies and organizations that provide single seniors tour information. This is one of the best sites I have found that addresses the topic and provides so much help. So “O Solo Mio” and get going.

Lastly, Fodor’s has a link on Single Senior Citizen Travel with comments made by single folks who experienced solo travel. This blog is simply a step in helping you to make some choices on your own.

Talk with your travel agent who is experienced in travel for those who prefer to travel alone, but not be alone on the trip. Enjoy making your plans, and better yet, enjoy your solo adventure wherever you choose to go. -jeb

Senior Women Enjoy Travel Options

We are often asked about programs that feature senior women who can travel with other senior women. Yes there are programs all over the world that cater to solo female travelers. Sorry men, this one is just for the women.

There is often comfort afforded to women who prefer to travel with other women and usually it is of the same age range. Today we highlight programs that focus on travel for women as the French say “d’un certain age.” That is a nice way of saying “older.”

Journey Woman notes that if you’re an older adventuress, this is an absolutely wonderful time in your life to be traveling. In most cultures, age brings respect. Children will gravitate to you.

Local women will be protective, you’ll suffer less from pesky unsolicited male advances, and your travel budget absolutely expands with all the lovely discounts your age group is offered. The possibilities are endless. Take advantage, ladies. You’ve earned the right.

Senior Women Travel Solo Together

Women Traveling Together was started in 1997 by a 40-year old business woman who desperately wanted to do some vacation traveling, but didn’t want to go alone or travel as a single on a couple’s tour. Unable to find a ready-made solution that met her needs, Debra Asberry spent seven months interviewing women in order to design a travel company that catered to the needs of women traveling solo.

Women Traveling Together (WTT) has a large and loyal repeat client base that has grown year after year since 1997, making it possible to offer more than 60 trips a year. “80% of WTT travelers come solo. We really should have named the company “Women Traveling Solo Together” because that’s in a nutshell what we’re all about. Select your tour and be assured that fellow WTT travelers are as interested in and excited about the destination as you are.”

Senior Women’s Travel Days Not Over

Why travel alone when you can connect with like-minded women on a trip led by knowledgeable, local guides? At Rio Grande Travel, senior women can find thoughtful and well-planned vacation packages. Women can choose pre-planned trips alone, a travel group for senior women or perhaps embark on a journey with a bunch of friends!

A while back we featured a travel blog for Senior Women. Please check out the programs on that site and learn about the various opportunities that are available.

Senior Women’s Travel focuses on trips for 50+ women with a passion for travel. “It was founded on the premise that your travel days are not over.

Senior women — widowed, divorced, or with a mate who no longer wants to travel — should still be able to travel with zest, comfortably and safely. No-hassle travel, everything is done for you. No single supplements, exciting destinations, culture, good food, and interesting companions.”

Seniors Explore The World

This senior was curious to find out the largest cities in the world by population and the largest countries by surface area. Get your coffee and let me show you what I discovered. I figured that China was the largest both by population and surface area. I was wrong, very wrong. What do you think the two or three top would be? I’ve been to three of the largest five cities.

Tokyo is far above New York Metro with 33,200,000. I remember trying to take a photo of Tokyo and found that it is impossible. NYC came in second with 17,800,000 and Seoul, Korea missed NYC by only 100,000 and Mexico City by 300,000. You can look these up yourself and many are surprising, at least it was to me. Bombay (Mumbai), Calcutta (Kolkata), Delhi and Chennai are huge in India.

Now let’s consider the largest countries by total population. China, right. And who follows by only 100 million? Yes, India. But did you know that the USA ranks third just ahead of Indonesia and Brazil.

Seniors Explore The World Some More

So, how are you doing? Now let’s explore the largest in size by area. Any ideas? China? They came in #4 behind Russia, Canada and the USA. Any idea of #5 or #6? Try Brazil and then Australia. They have a lot of land and like Russia, Canada and China, lots of the area is unused and desolate. Not so with the USA.

Russia encompasses 17,075,200 sq. km. Seniors, do you know how much a kilometer is? Well, it is 0.621371 miles and 1 mile equals 1.60934 kilometers. Voila, there you have it, that really helps a lot, doesn’t it? Canada has about half as much land as Russia with 9,994,670 sq. km. I always wonder who is able to figure out those stats right down to the last kilometer. Just 9.7% of the land of Canada is privately held and of course Russi has Siberia.

Seniors Explore The World Even More

Well, perhaps you are totally bored with all those figures by now. I will depart today’s blog with one last piece of information for those seniors among you who are still reading this article. Curious what the largest bodies of water in the world are?

As you may already know, the Earth is often referred to as the “blue planet.” This particular nickname was given due to the immense volume of water covering the surface of our planet; more specifically, 70% of the Earth is covered by water, making up 326,000,000,000,000,000,000 gallons. Now who did that calculation?

The Pacific Ocean is not only the largest body of water, but it is also the oldest. I’ll let you go figure that one out… I had no idea. See you back at seniorcitizen.travel tomorrow. Ciao. Au revoir. Auf Weidershehen. Arrivederci. Aloha. Adiós. Sayonara. Shalom. Totsiens. Vale and Zàijiàn. -jeb

Seniors Visit Exciting Revelstoke

Get your coffee, friends, we’re going to British Columbia this morning. Revelstoke, a city in southeastern British Columbia, with a population of 7,139, is referred to by the locals as Revy. Senior travelers will find Revelstoke on the banks of the Columbia River just south of the Revelstoke Dam and near its confluence with the Illecillewaet River.

Named a “must do trip” on National Geographic’s Ultimate Adventure Bucket List, senior adventurers will find a vibrant mountain community with a rich heritage.

The many winter sports are the cream of the crop: North America’s greatest vertical at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, world class Snowmobile trails blanketed with an average snowfall of 40-60 feet per year, 25+ km of groomed Nordic trails, easy access to the best Backcountry Touring experience on earth, and more Helicopter and Cat Ski/Snowboard operations than people (ok, well not quite).

Seniors Bike and Hike In Summer Months

As the summer heat melts the snow back to the summits, the high mountain peaks of the area are revealed. Inland and alpine adventures abound in the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges. Hiking explorations in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Park, world famous alpine mountain biking trails, a new dirt biking trail network that keeps on growing, and a Championship Golf Course that borders the Columbia River.

Revelstoke’s economy has traditionally been tied to the Canadian Pacific Railway and it still maintains a strong connection to that industry. Senior visitors will find plenty to keep them occupied any time of the year.

Revelstoke has produced some talented athletes in winter sports, notably ice hockey. The former local BCJHL team, the Revelstoke Bruins, had a number of future NHLers on its roster in the 1970s and 1980s.

Seniors Enjoy Revelstoke’s Awesome Surroundings

Way back when, Norwegian immigrants brought the skiing and ski jumping to Revelstoke, and by the 1910s, several ski jumping hills had been built around town. Revelstoke Ski Club was founded in 1914, and by the following year had reached 102 members. Sitting between the Selkirk and Monashee Mountain Ranges, Revelstoke has an awesome setting on the main east-west transportation corridor through BC.

Revelstoke was founded in the 1880s when the Canadian Pacific Railway was built through the area and mining was an important early industry. The city was originally named Farwell, after a local land owner and surveyor. Choose a YouTube video here and enjoy all the scenery and the Snow Show. I liked the second one down entitled Revelstoke Year Round, but just let it keep playing and another and another will follow.

TripAdvisor notes nearly 40 attractions that senior visitors can enjoy, starting with the Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail and of course the Revelstoke Mountain Resort, and the Enchanted Forest…always a big hit.

Seniors Visit the Okanagan Valley

It is always nice for us senior oenophiles to discover a new and rarely visited group of fine vineyards. This one is in Canada and a region that does not get as cold as much of Canada does. The Okanagan, also known as the Okanagan Valley and sometimes as the Okanagan Country, is located in the southern interior of British Columbia, beautiful with scenic beauty in every direction.

The natural landscape of the Thompson Okanagan includes mountains, valleys, desert, and everything in between. Boasting nearly 82 per cent of the total vineyard acreage in the province, the Okanagan Valley is British Columbia’s premier grape growing region. In addition to the wineries and scenic wonders is Lake Okanagan, the largest body of water in the Okanagan Valley.

The highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, a waterfall twice the height of Niagara Falls, and Canada’s only true desert environment are all found in this region. Foodies flock to the area’s renowned orchards and vineyards; families can’t get enough of the many sandy, lakeside beaches; and outdoor enthusiasts come for the golfing, hiking, biking and skiing.

Senior Oenophiles Find Large Wine Region

The history and culture of the region, from its Aboriginal peoples to European fur traders to winemakers and food producers, is strongly tied to the land. This is reflected in many of the area’s museums, heritage sites, and much of its artwork, where the colorful past is brought to life for senior visitors.

The Okanagan Valley is the second largest wine region in Canada with approximately 4000 hectares (9884.2 acres) of vineyards. The Okanagan accounts for producing more than 90% of British Columbia Wine. Wine Spectator notes that British Columbia’s emerging Okanagan Valley has the makings of a serious wine region.

The largest city in the Valley is Kelowna highly praised for it wine festivals. Then head for Penticton for the sugary summer Peach Festival. Just off to the south is Osoyoos, home to an arid desert filled with rare plants and animals. Senior bikers enjoy riding along a well marked trail through Myra Canyon, rated #1 as a must see site. Enjoy your visit to BC and the famed Valley. -jeb

Seniors Head North To Enjoy Unionville

Unionville is a suburban village in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Senior travelers will find it 33 km northeast of downtown Toronto. History comes to life in and around the streets of Unionville.

Settled in 1794, the village became a milling center through the middle and late 1800s. It’s been a hub of social and cultural importance ever since. Unionville’s name was derived from Ira White’s Union Mills built in 1839.

The merchants of Main Street Unionville offer an amazing array of wares in their shops, from couture fashion and accessories to fine home decor, a variety of sweets and so much more. The historic Main Street Unionville attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Seniors Take In Historic Main Street Unionville

Main Street also has a number of “century homes” dating to the 19th century. All along historic Main Street Unionville, senior visitors will find structures that are virtually unchanged from its founding back in 1794.

Renowned for its pubs, parks, restaurants, and its historical European view, the road hosts the annual Unionville Festival, which draws several thousand visitors the first weekend in June. Those visitors come for live music, fun and games like treasure hunts, pet contests, karaoke sing-offs and the spectacular colorful parade of the Governor Generals Horse Guards.

Unionville has a number of regular events ongoing throughout the year including a Jazz Festival in August, the Unionville Heritage Festival held on Labor Day, Canada Day and Thursday Nights at the Bandstand that go on all summer long.

Pubs, Century Homes And Walking Paths Draw Seniors

Developed in the early 1840s when Ira White built Union Mills, historic Main Street Unionville attracts senior visitors who come to enjoy dining in some great restaurants and pubs, shopping in interesting gift shops and “century homes” dating back to the 1800s.

Tourism is a major part of the economy of Unionville and the historic village or downtown section is typical of a small town that developed over a century or so starting in the early 1840s. Senior visitors will find many historic buildings that draw their attention.

For hikers, walking paths through the local conservation lands connect directly to the village roads, one of the most used being the path around Toogood Pond, named after the Toogood family. The pond was originally the mill pond that powered the grist mill in the 1840s.

CNN Travel Photo of the Day noted Unionville as a great place to visit. It will be a memorable stop. jeb

Seniors Stop Along Lake Ontario

Oakville is a suburban town in southern Ontario, Canada. Senior travelers will find Oakville on Lake Ontario, part of the Greater Toronto Area. The population runs just over 182,000.

History abounds as the original Oakville Settlement is centered on Oakville Harbour. The natural harbor at Bronte was a commercial port of entry for merchants and sailors in the early 1800’s. In 1827, Colonel William Chisholm purchased land at the mouth of the Sixteen Mile Creek on Lake Ontario to develop a shipbuilding yard. Ship-building and timber became important industries that attracted a variety of settlers to the area.

Seniors Enjoy A Favorite Park

For me, being a Master Gardener, I’d head off with my wife to explore the Gairloch Gardens, a place designed for some needed relaxation. Seniors can take a stroll amongst beautiful flowers, breath taking scenery, and majestic trees. It’s the favorite park in Oakville.

The beautiful historic home and gardens of the Erchless Estate once belonged to the town’s founding family, but are now the setting for Oakville’s Community Museum. Oakville has a plethora summer camps for your grandkids so if you’re looking for music, dance, drama, art, outdoor fun, swimming, sports, academic, cooking, horse back riding for them, check it all out.

Seniors Are Close To Niagara Falls In Oakville

A stroll around Downtown Oakville looks to me like a great place to shop, dine and enjoy the pleasant surroundings. For your gourmet tastes, Cucci Ristorante is for those who enjoy the pleasures of dining. ‘Cucci Chefs are forever searching for ways to tease your senses and stimulate your palate.’

Oakville is located only a half an hour from downtown Toronto and an hour’s drive from Niagara Falls and the United States border. Google the Oakville News and read about the city and what is going on all year long. After you “Google” Oakville, bring up Facebook for a host of additional information and suggestions for your visit.

Seniors Discover the ‘Forest City’

I remember a fellow student at the Sorbonne from London, Ontario. His name was Charlie. He was my buddy. We spent a lot of time together visiting famous secondary schools in Paris. Senior travelers find London in southwest Ontario, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor.

London is at the fork of the non-navigable Thames River, approximately halfway between Toronto and Detroit. The entire metropolitan area encompasses nearly 500,000 people.

The “Forest City” as it is called, with its lush green forest and fertile farm land, has a long history, dating back to 1793. The Blackfriars Street Bridge is a famous site that dates to 1875.

It crosses the North Thames River and still today carries a host of pedestrians. It remains the longest (216 ft.) footbridge of its kind in North America. St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica is another “must see” site in town and is famous all over Canada.

Seniors Enjoy Old World Charm

“London is located in the middle of Ontario’s Shakespeare Country and is known for its charming streets, unique attractions and old world charm. Like its British namesake, London is intersected by the River Thames. In keeping with its British traditions, double-decker bus tours depart daily from London’s City Hall.”

The Western Fair, one of Canada’s top fairs, draws over a quarter million visitors each September. Ontario’s frontier heritage is also captured in London. Senior visitors can step back in time at the Fanshawe Pioneer Village reliving life in southwest Ontario from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.

One of the city’s most popular cultural attractions is the Grand Theatre and offers a wide variety of stage productions. London is a city of 39 Festivals to keep senior visitors coming back for more all during the year.

Canadian Destination Attracts Senior Travelers

The city is loaded with things to see and do and this link can help you find those things to do, where to eat, where to stay, events, sports and a section dedicated just for visitors. You could plan to spend a few days in colorful London in order to take in the many amenities.

Seniors can ride the double-decker buses and enjoy the River Thames, but while London has clearly been inspired by its British namesake, it is a distinctly Canadian destination.Attractions like Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Banting House and Eldon House will captivate senior history buffs. Or indulge yourself with a tour of the Labatt Brewery.

And Seniors Stop In Halifax

Halifax is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Senior visitors will find one of the world’s great natural harbors at Halifax. Sixteen miles in area makes it second only in size to the harbor in Sydney, Australia.

In the 19th and early 20th century, Halifax was the entry point for European immigration to Canada. Today, Halifax is a busy Atlantic seaport and the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.

Seniors Enjoy Historical, Maritime Halifax

While the area around Halifax has been inhabited by native Mi’kmaq for millennia, modern Halifax was founded in 1749 as a British military outpost. The first permanent European settlement in the region was on the Halifax Peninsula.

A major mishap put Halifax on the map in 1917 when the collision of a Norwegian cargo ship with a French munitions ship loaded with 2,500 tons of explosives resulted in the Halifax Explosion. Over 2,000 people died and the northern half of the city was leveled.

The urban area of Halifax is a major cultural center within the Atlantic Provinces. There are several large universities within Halifax. The city has received accolades including a Best Place to Live in Canada, #1 by Large Size Cities in Canada and Large Cities of the Future. Senior visitors will find Halifax to be a a city with more pubs and clubs per capita than almost any city in Canada.

It is suggested that you simply stroll among the many galleries, museums and historical sites that include the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the Bogside Museum, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site that sits on a high hill above the city, a major landmark in the area.

The iconic Peggys Cove is internationally recognized and has over 600,000 visitors a year. Senior visitors will enjoy the Peggy’s Point Lighthouse that dates to 1868. Me, I’d head for Halifax Public Gardens and then off to the Waterfront Boardwalk.

Senior Visitors Awed By The Coastline

“The awesome coastline highlights any tour of Halifax and the active population contributes to the ambiance of the area.” Point Pleasant Park is a “must visit” right in the middle of town and Halifax’s waterfront is a popular destination, home to historic buildings and vessels, shops and a maritime museum.

For senior hikers, Halifax has five well-marked trails. And for senior gourmet travelers, Halifax prides itself on locally sourced ingredients, fresh seafood and innovative chefs making this region the center of Canadian Maritime Cuisine.

Streets are narrow by North American standards, and drivers are quite relaxed and patient. Pedestrians reign and they will often cross a street in the middle of the block. Cars will stop for them and give them the right away. So plan a visit to Halifax and enjoy this great city. -jeb